Before You Try to Skate Backwards

Before trying to skate backward, it is a good idea to practice walking backward and gliding for a short distance on inline skates. This exercise will help beginning inline skaters become comfortable with the feeling of moving backward on skates.

1. With your skates on, point your toes in and put your toes together.
   
   
   Pretend your toes are "kissing."
   

2. With your skates on, walk backwards.
   
   Take "baby steps." Continue to keep your toes pointing in. Make sure the weight on your feet is over the front part of the skates, but not too far in front.
   
   

3. Now, go to a wall. With your feet parallel, gently push yourself backward so that you roll backwards for a short distance.
   
   
   Do this exercise over and over.
   

4. Now, repeat the "baby step" walking with the toes pointed together and then allow your skates to "rest" and roll backwards for a short distance.
   
   Practice this exercise again and again until you feel comfortable with the feeling of moving backwards on skates.

Tips:

• Bend your knees.
  
• Keep you skates pressed inside slightly.
  

Further Reading:

• How to Skate Backwards - From Kathie Fry, Skatelog.com

Happy Skating!

From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide